Owego Little League News
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• 55th Opening Day 
 The Owego Little League opens its 55th season on Saturday, May 6, with a traditional parade from the police/fire station to Hyde Park, a salute to volunteers and sponsors during opening day ceremonies on Nick Raftis Memorial Field, and throughout the day all 28 teams playing 15 games of baseball, tee ball and girls softball. 

• Opening Day Parade
 Parade Marshall John Loftus expects team players to report between 8:00 and 8:20 am to their managers/coaches on Temple Street between the Owego Police Department and First Presbyterian Church. The parade moves at 8:30 am. 

 Owego Little League President Ken Winters also invites all supporters—including volunteers, sponsors and alumni from 1952 to 2005  – to march or ride in the parade. 

 Along the parade route – up North Avenue and down George Street – the enthusiastic boys and girls will tip their hats in thanks to those motorists who have to wait while they pass. 

• Opening Ceremonies 
 Nick Raftis Memorial Field hosts Opening Ceremonies for the 39th time at Hyde Park after 16 years at McMaster St. Players from 28 teams will acknowledge with praise their team managers, coaches, umpires, board of directors and staff and volunteer supporters standing on the third and first base lines.

 The Owego Elks Lodge 1039, celebrating its 100th anniversary, will be honored. Their exalted ruler traditionally presents a new American flag to League President Ken Winters. Then the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 480, will present a new POW/MIA flag to the president. At the Elks Flag Pole, dedicated in 1968, the flags will be raised by the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 VFW Post 1371 Color Guard during the singing of the National Anthem. 

• Day-Long Games
 Each of Hyde Park's five diamonds will have three games at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:30 pm. Support the players by your attendance. 

• Concession Stand
 Many will eat at the Concession Stand managed by Diane Gregory and assistant Sue Peacock. Volunteer moms and dads will serve coffee, cold drinks, hot dogs, hamburgs, sausage, pizza, candy, ice cream and hospitality throughout the day. 

• Picture Day
 OLL Picture Day is Saturday morning, May 13, at Owego Elementary School. 

• New Teener Baseball Field
 Turf specialists Andre and Son of Montrose, Pa., will have OLL's new modified Teener League field ready for their Opening Day in late May. Formerly the O-A girls softball field, it is located north of Beauter Field, west of O-A's lacrosse field and north of the OLL playground. 

 Cooperation keyed the new baseball diamond for the kids. Construction started Friday, April 21, after an agreement between the Owego Apalachin School Board of Education, under the leadership of President Bill Riddleberger and Board Member John Crosby, and OLL directors and officers, who thank the Fannie C. Hyde Estate for a very much appreciated grant to cover development costs.

 Teener League Baseball receives "graduates" of OLL's National League. Now more current OLL players will see Teener Baseball as their next step as they progress in baseball for different levels of OFA baseball. Teener Baseball says a double Thank You to the O-A School Board for their continuing new field cooperation and for granting the use of the school fields for their games the past four years.

• Write Your Memories 
 Your memorable memories are needed for an update to the 55-Year OLL history. Compose them "In Your Own Words" and email them to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.